January 29, 2011

Rumors

By: Anna Gosbersen

423 Pages

Summary:

Book 2 in The Luxe series has News York City still reeling from the "death" of Elizabeth. No one can sop speculating on whether she really is dead or not. And all the characters in the book try to move on with their lives.

Speculation runs wild on whether beloved, but presumed dead, heiress Elizabeth is dead or alive. Penelope's jealousy reduces her to do whatever she has to in her quest to have Henry- no matter who she hurts in the process. Lina-now Carolina-set her sights on being a socialite and makes progress in that mission. Diana enjoys the heights of true love, and the lows fate can bring.

I enjoyed this book, though not as much as The Luxe. In The Luxe, I was more invested in Elizabeth and Diana- the heroines of the series. Rumors had my focus more on the dastardly doings of Penelope and the desperate quest Caroline is on. The ending to Rumors was sad on just about every front that I cared about. Granted, I know this is by design and necessary to carry on the series, but still. I'm a "happily ever after" type of ending kind of girl, though I know the ending Rumors had makes perfect sense. The stage is perfectly set for book 3, Envy, to come in and carry out the story.

Penelope is a character who you can't wait to see the downfall of because she has it coming on so many levels. I kept rooting for Diana and Henry because they actually were the "misfits" who were the perfect fit. However, Penelope sinks to a new low to guarantee it doesn't happen. Carolina is a character I don't care anything about, though I have to say I hope life brings her lessons of humility. Elizabeth and William were two of my favorites in The Luxe, and I was glad to see them get a happy ending in that book. However, I didn't like their ending in this book.

I am intrigued to see what the next book in the series, Envy, brings. I do think I became a little bit more interested with the bad characters this time around. I am looking forward to Penelope's ruin- though I have no idea if she gets one. The same goes for Caroline.

January 25, 2011

There are many rules to follow in life. Don't drink and drive, for example. In the blogging world there's an important rule: Don't post it without proof reading it! Leave it to me to forget this rule! So, without further ado, here is my latest blonde moment for you all.I recently put up my review for a book, The Luxe, I loved. I loved the book so much I couldn't wait to share my thoughts on it. Yeah... I totally forgot to proof read it prior to posting it. Now, I've done this numerous times with no problem. However, this one had a problem: I GOT THE MAIN CHARACTER'S NAME WRONG!!!! How I pulled that off I don't know, but I did. Instead of using the character's real name, Elizabeth, I kept referring to her by her sister's name, Diana. I didn't even notice my massive error until a comment was posted pointing it out to me. And there it is my readers: Never blog without proofreading. May this put a little smile on your face. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to proof read this before posting it.

January 23, 2011

The Luxe

By: Anna Godbersen

292 Pages* (Nook book)

Summary:

The year is 1899. Appearances are everything- no matter what must be done. Elizabeth is in love with a poor boy who is employed by her family. A future with him is unacceptable & impossible. Or is it? Elizabeth's Mother holds her own secret- the family no longer has the money they once did. Is she willing to force one of her daughters into a loveless marriage just to maintain their status? Elizabeth's rebellious sister, Diana, has fallen in love- with the one man she can't have. And Elizabeth's best friend brings new meaning to the word frenemy. Welcome to New York Society.

Oh my gosh! I just finished Luxe and I loved every minute of it! I was very curious as to how Anna Godbersen was going to make a forgotten time like the early 1900s seem interesting to young adults, but she truly did an amazing job. I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2, Rumors.

The book opens up with everyone gathered at Elizabeth's funeral- instead of her wedding. A carriage accident leaves Elizabeth presumed to be dead. You meet the characters and quickly become immersed in the world she lived in. The book moves at a rapid pace leaving no page unimportant- which I love.

If you enjoy historical fiction, this book may be up your alley. Luxe is the first book in a series of 4 and I have plans for beginning book 2 this evening. The author did a phenomenal job of bringing the year 1899 to you and keeping you interested. I completely understand why this is such a popular series.

January 20, 2011

The Haunted Bookshop

By: Christopher Morley

I couldn't wait to read this book. I found it on the Barnes & Noble website and downloaded it onto my Nook. Turns out, I shouldn't have. It was another example of a book taking too long to get the plot going and not being able to keep me interested while I waited. I was so bummed that it wasn't a good read! The title was great! The potential for a phenomenal story is there!

Instead of just throwing in the towel, I decided to take a break. I was going to read another book and come back to The Haunted Bookshop. However, I have officially thrown the towel in. There are just too many other books- too many classics- out there to read and enjoy. Maybe one day I'll pick it up and have better luck, but I don't see it happening in the near future.

January 17, 2011

Villa Mirabella

By: Peter Pezzelli

283 Pages

Summary:

After a whirl wind of success- and losing it all- in Los Angeles, Jason Mirabella goes home to Rhode Island. The family business, a bed and breakfast called Villa Mirabella waits for him. He had no desire to be a part of it. But things don't always go the way you think they will.

I wanted to like this book. With cover art like that, how could you not? Well, I didn't. It took a long time to get the plot moving. Once things started picking up, there was nothing that kept me interested. I lost interest quickly.

I bought this book, so I can't return it. If I could, I so would. Maybe I'll try it again some other time. Either that, or I'll donate it to my library since they don't have it. (Hence why I bought it in the first place.)

January 14, 2011

Author Arthur Conan Doyle kept diaries religiously. But after his death, one goes missing. Why? Who took it? What happened to it? Read this author's fictional take on a theory.

It's books like this one that makes me so privileged to be a reader. The Sherlockian was so good!! It was amazing!! Without a doubt I would read this book again and enjoy it every bit as much then as I did now. Not a single page was wasted, but all were dedicated to telling the story and pushing the plot along. Graham Moore wastes no time in getting to the point and, then, keeps it til the very end. It's rare to read a book that is good from the get go and remains that way to the very last word. Also, I loved his Author's Note. In it he tells you the known facts surrounding this mystery.

The Baker Street Irregulars is a massive group of Sherlock Holmes fans. They get together once a year and revel in the detective and all things about him. Harold has just been inducted into this group and is looking forward to hearing the details behind Alex Cale's big announcement: he has found the missing Arthur Conan Doyle diary. However, the night before the big reveal Alex is found dead in his room. Harold is then bound and determined to figure out why Alex has been murdered, who did it, and where the diary in question is.

While this storyline plays, it alternates with one told from Arthur Conan Doyle's timeline. You read the live version of what was written in the missing journal. And much likes Holmes, Doyle has a partner in his adventure... Bram Stoker!!

January 9, 2011

** Let me preface this blog entry by telling you I don't get sick, I just don't always feel well. And for the record, I really don't feel well.

I love my girls. I love it when they share things with me. However, some things are better left not shared- like a cold, for instance. Still, my oldest daughter decided she loved me so much that we had to have the cold together.

So, here I am, in my bed resting. I should probably tell you now that I'm not a good patient when I'm under the weather. I can only take being in bed for a little while before I start to go nutty. As this started happening last night I did what any good patient would do- I bought books!! I may not be able to get to my bookstore, but I can get to B&N online.

I found some gems in the Bargain section and felt my Gift Card would be put to good use. Here's what I grabbed:

Very Valentine

By: Adriana Trigiani

I've read one book in this series &

loved it. Now I can see how it all

started.

RumorsBy: Anna GodbersenI've heard so much about this series &have wanted to read it for awhile. I knowit's part of a series, but this book soundedgood, so I'm gonna give it a try.

A Vintage AffairBy: Isabel Wolff

I got this for the Nook. It soundedlike it could be a really good book, soI'm hoping it is.

Here's hoping I have some good reading to look forward to. Let the stalking of the Mail Man begin.

January 6, 2011

Dracula

By: Bram Stoker

I loved this book! And, believe me, no one is more surprised by that than I am. I've never been into the whole vampire genre, so I went into this read thinking I wasn't going to like it. I was positive I wouldn't even finish the book at all. Man, was I wrong! I loved that the story was told without bloody, gory, and scary descriptions. To me, the story was so much better because of that. From page 1 to the very last page I was engrossed with this book. The group of friends intend to rid the world of the Vampire come hell or high water, but he doesn't play fair. Can they kill him before he takes one of their own first?

Jonathan is sent to Dracula's castle on business. What he encounters once there is one bizarre tale after another. He manages to escape, but that's only the beginning of his encounters with the Vampire. Jonathan's wife is good friends with Lucy who is suffering from an unknown illness. As her loved ones watch her get better only to get worse the doctor Van Helsing has an explanation: she's been bitten by a vampire. Sadly, they aren't able to save her and a mission is born.

The story unfolds in numerous journal entries from the characters and I enjoyed it unfolding that way. It was like I was there experiencing it all with them. The story is a constantly moving story, so I didn't get bored. I tell you, I read this book while I was making dinner, riding in the car, waiting in line somewhere. Any chance I had to even read a line or two, I jumped on.

I can totally see myself reading this book again down the road. It was an amazing adventure to go on and read about. I'm so glad I eventually added it to my classics list. If you have thought about reading Dracula, I think you should. It was so good. I don't think I do justice to the plot and just how good it was.

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